Dominican Republic families fill gaps in state welfare

In the Dominican Republic, families are increasingly forced to act as a makeshift welfare state to compensate for the absence of government support. This reliance on private family resources covers essential needs such as education, healthcare, and elderly care.

Due to a lack of adequate public schooling, sufficient childcare, and comprehensive health insurance, citizens must personally fund services that would typically be provided by the state. The absence of a robust unemployment insurance system and dignified pensions further shifts the burden of survival onto family members.

According to the Central Bank, more than $10 billion arrives annually in remittances. This influx of money from abroad is viewed as a private tax paid by citizens to fill the gaps left by state failures in social assistance and basic public services.